HR1301 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1301 LRB094 20510 HSS 58811 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the House of Representatives of State of Illinois were deeply saddened to learn of the death of Berardo J. "Dee" DeSimone Sr. of Elmhurst, the former regional superintendent of schools in DuPage County, on April 29, 2006; and

WHEREAS, Mr. DeSimone was born on July 7, 1925, to Italian immigrant parents in Chicago, where he was raised; he attended Crane Tech High School; after his graduation in 1944, he attended Iowa State University on a football scholarship and received his associate's degree in education; he also played baseball and was drafted by the Boston Red Sox; and

WHEREAS, While at Iowa State, Mr. DeSimone suffered an injury and returned home, where he attended DePaul University; from 1948 through 1950 he was a teacher with the Chicago Board of Education; he earned his bachelor of science degree in education at DePaul in 1949; he went on to receive his doctorate from Rhode Island University and completed coursework at Northwestern University, Northern Illinois University, and Loyola University; and

WHEREAS, Mr. DeSimone was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1950; a year later, while on leave, he married Sally Rose DeLuca, whom he met while dancing at the Paradise Ballroom; after his Army service, he joined Berkeley School District 87 in 1952; and

WHEREAS, Mr. DeSimone served the District a total of 22 years, as teacher, assistant principal, director of the physical education department, assistant superintendent, business manager, and superintendent; while serving as a principal in 1958, shortly after the Our Lady of the Angels fire that killed 92 students and three nuns in Chicago, he helped develop and write the State's life safety codes; and

WHEREAS, Mr. DeSimone joined the Illinois State Board of Education as an educational specialist in 1974; he became assistant regional superintendent of schools in DuPage County in 1976; he was first appointed to the post of regional superintendent in 1985 and served through 2003; he never faced an opponent for election or re-election; and

WHEREAS, As one of the 45 statewide regional superintendents, Mr. DeSimone acted as an intermediary between the 43 county school districts and the Illinois State Board of Education; he helped shape new programs for the districts, including the development of the DuPage Area Vocational Education Association, now the DuPage Area Occupational Education System; and

WHEREAS, Mr. DeSimone also served as chairman of the Illinois State Board of Education Health and Life Safety Advisory Board committee and was a former Illinois Building Commission member; and

WHEREAS, The passing of Berardo J. "Dee" DeSimone Sr. is deeply felt by all who knew and loved him, especially his children, Berardo Joseph Jr. (Anne) DeSimone, Ave Marie (Gary) Berkshire, and Neil Francis (Cathy) DeSimone; his grandchildren, Jorie Schlewitt, Todd, Jay, Carlie, Gary Lee, Brittnie, Brandon, Nicholas, Bradley, Christian, and Matthew; his great-grandchildren, Braden, Kamryn, and Nathan; his sister, Anne; his nieces and nephews, Daniel (Debbie), Joseph (Chris), Therese (Michael), Deanna (Brian), and David (Linda); and his friend, Dima; he was preceded in death by his wife; his son, Joseph; and his brother Dan; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Berardo J. DeSimone Sr., who for more than 60 years was devoted to educating children and was "here for the kids", and we extend our sincerest condolences to his family, friends, and community; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to his family as an expression of our deepest sympathy.